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Discover the Book - Oct. 9, 2007

This morning let’s walk through the New Testament and examine the man behind this Gospel, a man named Peter.

In his fourth book written in 1906 called Quiet Talks on Service, S. D. Gordon (1859-1936) gives an imaginary account of Jesus’ return to heaven after His ascension. As the angel Gabriel greets Jesus he asks,

“Master, You died for the world, did You not?” to which the Lord replies, “Yes.” “You must have suffered much,” the angel says; and again Jesus answers, “Yes.”

“Do they all know that you died for them?” Gabriel continues.

“No. Only a few in Palestine know about it so far,” Jesus says. “Well, then, what is Your plan for telling the rest of the world that You shed Your blood for them?”

Jesus responds, “Well, I asked Peter and James and John and Andrew and a few others if they would make it the business of their lives to tell others. And then the ones that they tell could tell others, and they in turn could tell still others, and finally it would reach the farthest corner of the earth and all would know the thrill and power of the gospel.”

“But suppose Peter fails? And suppose after a while John just doesn’t tell anyone? And what if James and Andrew are ashamed or afraid? Then what?” Gabriel asks.

“I have no other plans,” Jesus is said to have answered; “I am counting entirely on them[4]”

Peter’s gospel is our gospel - etched on our hearts, as are some of His most memorable words! And the gospels are full of Peter:

No disciple speaks so often as Peter. Listen to these words and think of how they so remind us of the man who just could never get enough time in Christ's Presence.

Oh how Peter longed to walk with Jesus. The depth of Peter’s love can be seen in the exclamations that he just can’t seem to hold in. Can’t you feel his passion as I read these words?

Here is a list I call “Peter’s Top 20”; the unmistakable footprints of a man who wanted Jesus with every ounce of his being!

Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water. (Matthew 14.28)

Lord, save me. (Matthew 14.30)

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16.16; also Mark 8.29)

Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall never be to Thee. (Matthew 16.22)

Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. (Acts 10.14)

Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us; what was I that I could withstand God? (Acts 11.17)

Wow! If there is ever a person that shows the love of Jesus, the compassion of Jesus, the patience of Jesus, the forgiveness of Jesus, the restoring power of Jesus, and the empowerment for ministry that Jesus can give—it is Peter!

PETER IS A HERO

People need heroes. Part of life is looking up to someone, being inspired by them, and rising to greater levels of accomplishment in whatever field they represent.

There are

Golfing heroes who inspire;

Basketball and football heroes who inspire;

Entertainers and authors who become heroes and inspire;

Political and civic heroes who inspire;

Medical, rescue and military heroes who inspire…(can you even look at that 911 photo of the twisted cross of steel and the firemen raising the flag without a tear welling up in your eye?).

Heroes, we all consciously or unconsciously have them. And beyond all these I’ve mentioned there are the religious leaders that inspire often millions.

Peter is my hero.

If you have never picked a character in the Bible as a hero, someone you wish to be like and admire greatly—I hope you’ll consider Peter. He is becoming more and more my hero the longer I live.

Why would I say that? Because –

If you ever think of being a leader: Peter is a model of leadership from the first day he was called by Jesus at the shore. I imagine it was only moments later that he took over as commander and chief of the soon to be Twelve and remained so throughout Christ's ministry. That is leadership.

If you ever want to be fearless: Peter was a model of fearlessness at Gethsemane when in Christ's presence he single handedly with only a short sword started to fight with a crowd numbering well over 600 soldiers and guards. That is fearless.

If you ever want to be forgiven: Peter is a model of forgiveness at the moment he looked up into the eyes of Jesus at Gallicantu. After all his denials he wept bitterly and cried out in his heart for forgiveness. How do I know that? Because Jesus looked at him in love and forgave him that dark night. That is forgiven.

If you ever want to be bold: Peter was a model of boldness as he stood up to the whole city of Jerusalem that has just crucified Jesus—and preached the powerful sermons of Acts 2 and 3! That is boldness.

If you ever want to be restored to ministry: Peter is a model of restoration to ministry at the Sea of Galilee (John 21) when Jesus stood on the shore and clearly, completely, and tenderly forgave Peter for all his denials. That is restored.

If you ever want to be greatly used: Peter is a model of incredible success. Standing nearly alone before his entire world on the 50th day after the Cross -- Peter turns the tide of the whole world, God’s Way! He single handedly (with only the help of the Holy Spirit that is) started the greatest movement the world has ever seen. His message (Acts 2) of calling individuals to conversion is Christ, is now the most repeated message, for the longest period of time – in the history of this planet. Peter founded upon Christ what we know today as the church of Jesus Christ. That is success.

If you ever want to be humble: Peter is a model of humility. Despite all the incredible achievements walking for 3 years at Christ's side, to Pentecost and beyond—Peter walked away from the miracle of Pentecost as just a servant that God used; he took the Gospel to Cornelius, and started the Gentile Church we are a part of and walked away from that event again, as just a servant that the Lord chose to use. And that is the way Peter humbly stayed—to the last recorded words of his life (I Peter 5). That is humility.

Peter is one of the greatest humans to ever walk this planet.

He showed what God can do with a bully, And what God can do with a failure, And what God can do with a success. Peter only needed to be around Jesus.

And that’s the good news! After Christ's resurrection we see Peter no loner fearful because of the Holy Spirit within, Peter was never out of Christ's presence—and neither are we!

Through the Holy Spirit we like Peter can a model of boldness, fearlessness, leadership, forgiveness, restoration, success, and humility.